Research provides student opportunities
Student research strengthens the bond between learning and doing. A research topic is chosen and an investigation takes place so students at GCSU not only hear about the topic in the classroom, they experience it first-hand.
Though research is a significant part of the learning process, only $25,000 per year is earmarked by the state for student research at GCSU, a small portion of what is required.
“The rest of the funds that are given by GC for research cannot be accounted for because they are not directly earmarked for research,” Chief Budget Officer Susan Allen said. “Faculty members volunteer their time to work with the students and much of the funding comes from outside grants.”
Senior environmental science major Brandon McGee is participating in student research through the fall and spring semesters this year. This research—his senior capstone project— is a requirement for McGee’s graduation, but that is not the sole reason he is doing it.
“I am doing this to gain field experience working with the various pieces of equipment and to be able to add research to my resume for graduate school or to get a job,” McGee said.
McGee is doing a Hydrology Study at the local Andalusia farm. McGee, along with another student and graduate student, visit the farm once or twice a week to study the inflow and outflow of water in a pond. They are also doing a chemical analysis.
This fall they are collecting the data and doing the field research. In the spring, they will compile their research into a paper and prepare a way to present their findings. McGee hopes to use this research to enter into the Geology Society of America conference in the spring.
Another research field that students participate in is psychology.
The Child Empathy Program is a course that coaches young children who exhibit emotional or behavioral issues in the use of basic emotions.
“I go and interact with kids. We teach them basic emotions – happy, angry and sad – and teach them how to express them,” said junior psychology major Lauren Heard.
The students learn different research methods including assessment, participant interaction and observation skills.
“Being a part of research allows me to gain experience in the research field of psychology,” Heard said. “I want to work with kids in the future, so it is helpful to see what that would be like, and research looks good for applying to graduate school.”
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